HL Deb 25 July 1985 vol 466 c1456WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will confirm that the Eilean na Muice Dubh Site of Special Scientific Interest, Duich Moss, Islay was notified as an SSSI on 19th July 1984 under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and why it will take until September 1985 for consultations on making Duich Moss a Special Protection Area to be completed.

Lord Skelmersdale

I confirm that the Eilean na Muice Dubh Site, which includes Duich Moss, was notified as a site of special interest on 19th July 1984. The NCC expect to start consultations to prepare for designation of the site as a Special Protection Area in September 1985. SSSI notification is a necessary preliminary to the listing of any site as a Special Protection Area.

The NCC have been unable to make an earlier start to the consultations in this case because of the need to give priority to the renotification of other sites of special scientific interest.